A TEAM of four runners from The Performance Club Melbourne have come through Wangaratta overnight as a part of their 1000km run from Sydney to Melbourne for mental health.
They commenced running on May 18 from Bondi Beach on their way to The Performance Club Williamstown, with the aim of completing the run over 10 days (1000km total and 100km per day) to raise funds for the Holla Foundation, a not–for–profit mental health charity.
More than $60,000 had been raised as they crossed the 500km mark of the run on Monday, with a goal of raising $200,000 in total.
Their goal is to not only raise funds to support outreach services but also help others understand the importance of mental health and the strength that can be found in vulnerability by giving a friend or family member a "Holla".
One of the runners, Kevin Bonnar, who is running in 50km relay stints per day, said despite the tough conditions and the niggling injuries, the support shown through country NSW and Victoria has been inspiring.
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"On the road everyone who we've talked to in the country knows someone close to them that have been affected by suicide," he said.
"One of the ways we want to open the conversation up is if you're struggling, ask someone else how they're doing, because if that person can open up to you, the barrier of vulnerability comes down and you can be more comfortable sharing your struggles.
"I'm just an average dad with kids, none of us are runners, we're out here moving and we know movement is medicine, and bringing yourself into a community is so powerful in dealing with positivity and people's mental health."
You can view the documented run through the Holla foundation's Instagram account via https://www.instagram.com/hollafoundation/ and you can donate to the cause via this link: https://hollafoundation.com/donate–to–holla/.
